Spout Cottage

A curious title this one and Jon says, “A special one this for me as it was written by a C19th resident of my village. It’s funny to think of people writing carols – they always seem so timeless when you sing them as a kid.” I’ll confess I’ve more or less drawn a blank on this song, but there is this link through to more information about the village carol tradition, where you will find this on the list.

You can buy the December digital album now from all good download stores.

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Thorpe, Frank. North Staffordshire Regiment 8th Bn. Private. Service No. 14886. Aged 23. Merville Communal Cemetry, Nord, France. 21-Aug 1915. Son of William & Ellen (nee Ibbotson) Thorpe. William was a cutler of Hann Moor, Stannington, Sheffield Born 17th August 1892. A memorial in Underbank Chapel says he died of wounds received at the battle of Ypres. Frank was a musician and composer of the hymn ‘Spout Cottage’. Enlisted in Beighton, whilst living in Stannington. Frank was actually the first man in the 8th Bn. to die since they landed in France. The war diary suggests that Frank was wounded during a Minenwefer bombardment

I am afraid that the information quoted by Tim is incorrect on a couple of points.

Firstly, he was not killed in the “Battle of Ypres”. There were actually 3 battles of Ypres in the Great War, but his date of death coincides with none of them.

Secondly, he was not the first man of the 8th Btn to die in France. The CWGC website lists several others, though some of them can not be correct. From records I have seen Frank was probably the 3rd man to die after their arrival in France.

Frank’s brother (Harry) was also killed in the Great War on 20th July 1918 whilst serving with the 5th Btn of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

I believe that Frank did indeed write this tune, though I gather that records exist at the church in Stannington that could prove that conclusively.